Oil/Gas Pipelines
HardRock Directional Drilling expands business with Raymond Construction partnership
(UI) — HardRock Directional Drilling LLC has partnered with J&J Raymond Construction LLC, creating the new entity HardRock Infrastructure Services, the company announced on Dec. 1. This partnership expands HardRock's reach into the natural gas utilities industry and adds high-quality crews and equipment to the HardRock fleet.
Biden asks Congress for $500 million to modernize underground oil reserves
(UC) — In a document submitted to Congress, the Biden administration has requested $500 million from Congress to modernize the U.S. strategic petroleum reserve, Reuters reported. When petroleum is taken out and replaced, the hollowed-out, underground salt caverns where the SPR oil is kept may shift and need repair. The facility's steel pumps and equipment are moreover continuously blasted with corrosive, damp, salty air.
NTSB: Valve leak fueled 2021 pipeline blast that killed 2
A valve leak and a spark of unknown origin combined to cause a North Texas natural gas pipeline explosion last year that killed two workers and injured two others, federal investigators said.
US military to begin draining Pearl Harbor pipelines
The U.S. military said it’s ready to begin draining 1 million gallons of fuel from three pipelines as part of an initial step toward closing a World War II-era fuel storage facility that leaked petroleum into Pearl Harbor’s tap water last year.
July 2021 pipeline break leaked 714,000 gallons of wastewater, not 36,000
A wastewater spill from a pipeline break last year in the northwestern North Dakota oil patch was 20 times greater than first reported, the state Department of Environmental Quality said.
Jury decides $10.4 million award for Portland natural gas explosion trauma
Lawyers for gas leak investigator Eric Rader and stylist Kristen Prentice said both suffered life-altering changes, including post-traumatic stress disorder, after an excavator hit a buried gas pipeline Oct. 19, 2016.
Plastic Pipes Institute introduces free online Conduit Design Calculator
Plastic Pipes Institute introduced a free online calculator that allows you to input your project details and tells you the safe wall thickness for your intended installation.
Illinois firm settles for $2.5 million in 2017 fatal pipeline construction explosion case
An Illinois company has agreed to pay $2.5 million to settle safety charges from an explosion that killed three welders and injured seven at a Louisiana containerboard mill in 2017, as well as other alleged safety violations.
New report shows oil spills from offshore transportation way down
Oil and natural gas spills from tankers and pipelines in U.S. waters dropped dramatically from the last decade of the 1990s to the one from 2010 through 2019, according to a federal report.
Common Ground Alliance white paper highlights natural gas distribution stakeholders’ role in damage prevention
Common Ground Alliance announced the publication of a White Paper based on research among natural gas distribution stakeholders that points to this group’s influential position in the damage prevention industry and actions stakeholders can take to drive damages down.
Judge approves $230 million settlement in California oil spill case
The corroded undersea pipeline ruptured north of Refugio State Beach in Santa Barbara County, northwest of Los Angeles. All American Pipeline later estimated that 142,800 gallons spilled.
NTSB opens public docket for investigation into fatal Coolidge, Ariz. pipeline rupture
(UC) — The National Transportation Safety Board opened the public docket Thursday as part of its ongoing investigation of the fatal, Aug. 15, 2021, natural gas transmission pipeline rupture and fire near Coolidge, Arizona.
Natural gas pipeline fire in water SE of New Orleans
Federal agencies investigated a natural gas pipeline explosion that started a towering blaze in a lake southeast of New Orleans on September 8, 2022. Preliminary information indicates a barge broke loose from its mooring and hit the pipeline, according to the federal Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration.
FERC Rate Change Posting Proposal Controversial
Responding to a June 2021 petition from interstate pipeline customers, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) has proposed upgraded website posting requirements when pipelines file for a Section 4 rate change.
Oil company settles criminal cases in California pipeline spill
An oil company pleaded guilty in federal court to negligently discharging crude off the Southern California coast when its underwater pipeline ruptured last year, a spill that closed miles of shoreline and shuttered fisheries.
Oil spill settlement for undisclosed amount reached with California businesses
A pipeline operator said that it has reached a settlement with Southern California tourism companies, fishermen and other businesses that sued after a crude oil spill off the coast last year near Huntington Beach.
New Mexico oilfield regulators reach $1.8 million settlement with company
State oil and gas regulators say they have reached a financial settlement with XTO Permian Operating to resolve violation notices at wastewater injection sites in southeastern New Mexico.
Oilfield wastewater spill reported in northwest North Dakota
State regulators are investigating the spill of oilfield wastewater from a broken pipeline in northwestern North Dakota.
Idaho-Wyoming gas pipeline needs environmental study for approval
U.S. officials won’t approve a natural gas pipeline from Idaho to Wyoming until additional environmental studies are completed.
Australia's Santos buys underground gas pipeline route
Australia's Santos Ltd. said on Thursday it has acquired Hunter Gas Pipeline Pty Ltd., which owns an approved underground pipeline route, and plans to work with infrastructure developers to build the planned 550-mile pipeline.
Pipeline developer reaches settlement in residential water contamination case
Dallas-based Energy Transfer Operating agreed to independent testing of homeowners' water and promised to remediate contamination in a settlement of two separate criminal cases brought by the Pennsylvania attorney general.
KUB continues investment in East Tennessee water, sewer, natural gas, and fiber optic infrastructure
As infrastructure across the U.S. ages and communities begin to feel the impact, Knoxville Utilities Board continues what it started 15 years ago to ensure its safe and reliable utility services do not suffer as a result of aging infrastructure.
Dredging company fined $1 million for violating Clean Water Act after nicking oil pipeline
A Houston dredging company has been ordered to pay a $1 million fine for an oil spill that occurred when a subcontractor cut through an oil pipeline during barrier island restoration work off Louisiana in 2016.
EPA moves to give states, tribes more power to protect water
The Biden administration proposed undoing a Trump-era rule that limited the power of states and Native American tribes to block energy projects like natural gas pipelines based on their potential to pollute rivers and streams.
Rhode Island settles with gas companies in pollution lawsuit
Rhode Island will get $15 million through a settlement with major oil and gas companies that allegedly polluted the state’s soil and groundwater with a gasoline additive, the attorney general announced.
Comment period extended for Enbridge line reroute
The Department of Natural Resources extended the comment period involving the environmental impact of rerouting the Enbridge Line 5 pipeline after a lawsuit voices concerns of the possibility of drinking water contamination.
Pipeline construction finishes, lawsuits continue for Energy Transfer
Energy Transfer announces the completion of a multibillion-dollar pipeline system in Pennsylvania while facing criminal charges over waterway and water supply contamination due to the project.
Pipeline’s safeguards not working in Louisiana diesel spill
A corroded pipeline that spilled in Lousiana was found to not have a full functioning leak detection system at the time and the spill was larger than previously reported.
Pipeline rupture spills over 300,000 gallons of diesel in Louisiana
A pipeline rupture in New Orleans spills over 300,000 gallons of diesel.
$40M fine proposed for gas pipeline builder after spill
A builder responsible for a multi-state pipeline faces a proposed $40 million fine for an accidental spill of 2 million gallons of drilling mud.
- Deadline to submit abstracts for Underground Infrastructure Conference's 30th anniversary education program extended to July 19
- Drilling under the LSU campus
- OSHA investigation launched after worker found unconscious in Kansas City, Mo., sewer pipe
- 26th annual directional drilling survey: More fuel on the fire
- Restoring power to Minnesota’s northwest angle
- Vermeer Debuts New Horizontal Directional Drill
- Sewer maintenance: Myth-busting, best-practice training
- Berkeley pushes PG&E to bury power lines to mitigate wildfire risk
- Houston faces hurdles in transitioning to underground power lines amid severe weather concerns
- Calgary declares state of emergency over water pipeline repairs